Webcam + laptop to record live meetings?

[Winfried]

Hello,

It's not a Windows-specific question, but it looks like the least bad section to ask considering I'm using a Windows computer.

To record live meetings as an alternative to a camcorder, I'm thinking of hooking up a microphone-equiped webcam to my laptop, and run OBS. There are also times when I could connect an independant microphone or run an audio cable to catch the audio from a loudspeaker or a mixing desk for better performance.

If you've already recorded meetings with a webcam + OBS, is that a solution you would recommend? What affordable webcam would you suggest?

Thank you.

 

[konsolenritter]

Winfried,

in principle, yes. In general you shouldn't expect quite quality from an webcam so far. Especially regarding the mics quality. Depending on what kind of live meeting you want to capture, you should keep in mind that mics in webcams are often optimized for speech from a single person in front. If you want to record something with surrounding sound sources, music or something, going for a webcam is a bad habit.

Capturing audio from loudspeakers is a bad idea in general. There are professional possibilities for that by using DI (direct-injection) boxes. But that's stuff for professional audiuo guys. Capturing an output or aux from a mixing desk is the preferred way, to say. But you should invest in a good capable external sound device, that brings line-level and professional xlr sound sources well into the computers world, mostly by usb.

In general, your laptop have to perform well for all the tasks! If its a weak machine, you'll earn issues regarding USB, capturing and at least the encoding stage of OBS. If you want a hassle free setup where a camcorder would work, maybe the camcorder is the better and more reliable way to go.

You should describe your undertaking in more detail, even in german if you want.

 

[Winfried]

Thanks for the tips.

Indeed, I wasn't sure a microphone-equiped webcam was a good idea for that purpose. I'll just use a basic webcam, and experiment with a microphone/audio cable possibly with a DI.

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

One thing to be aware of, is that many (most? almost all?) webcams use fixed lens set for wide angle... so after 6ft or so, you get soft focus/blur.. so be sure to test in advance. There are webcams meant for a room, vs a single person a couple of feet from the lens, and that will make a huge difference...

Depending on the size of the room/space, there are conference speakerphones with multiple multi-directional mics that do much better than typical single directional mic... but depends on exact nature of live meeting (panel, round table, number of participants, etc?)